We will never sell your information, for any reason. Two biblical teachings confirm the doctrine of the Trinity: How is that possible? Therefore, there is one God with one divine nature and three divine Persons. Orthodox Christian theology has always affirmed that the one true God is triune in nature. 3:16; 2 Pet. Or stated simply, the triangles what-ness.. Through accepting the undeserved gift of salvation (Eph. Question: How do you explain the Trinity? As theologian and apologist Norman Geisler has explained it, while essence is what you are, person is who you are. 11:3336). God the Father. Can You Explain the Trinity to Me? - Billy Graham Evangelistic Association And all three members of the Trinity were involved. How do I explain to a non-believer that belief in the Trinity is If belief in the Trinity is so essential to Christianity, it would have been explicitly stated in the Bible and wouldn't have taken over 300 years to officially define it. The Father sent Jesus into the world (John 3:16; Gal. Lets do a quick review of the topics we have covered. My passion is helping you not just read and study the Bible, but truly enjoy it! There is a clue that the Son is distinct from the Father, yet there is fellowship between them. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earthand in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic* Church,the communion of the saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Yet most Christians have difficulty explaining the Trinity clearly and Biblically. Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org. How To Explain the Trinity To Your Child - 4 Creative Ways The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all fully God. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. Here is an object with three parts: a hard shell, the egg white, and the yolk. If we can understand more precisely what is meant by essence and person, how these two terms differ, and how they relate, we will then have a more complete understanding of the Trinity. The Trinity and Christian Unity - Ligonier Ministries As a former youth minister and childrens minister, Ive already done your research! There was never a time when one of the Persons of the Godhead did not exist. These questions arealwaysasked by someone who is exploring faith in Jesus. Essenceis the objective set of attributes necessary to the thing being described. Third, Christians believe that the entire New Testament is inspired. Matthew 12:28. If it were the other way around and we understood God completely, how would he be the sovereign God? 2:5), The Father is not the Spirit (John 14:26; John 15:26), The Son is not the Spirit (Matt. The triangle illustration is easy to understand, but an imperfect analogy because: Nonetheless, a triangle illustrates how there can be a three-ness and one-ness same time. LESSON 1: THE TRINITY AIM: To teach the children in simple terms the truth of the Godhead. Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine, and Jerome mention it. As a mom to three kids under 8, an instructional coach, and a former classroom teacher, I know a thing or two about how public schools REALLY work and the challenges we face in the United States. In other words, you have contradicted yourself if you affirm and deny the same statement. Essence means the same thing as being. Thus, since God is only one essence, He is only one being, not three. (Ohand I'll send you my free guideThe Simplest Way to Study ANY Bible Passageas a "Thank you" for jumping on board!). The doctrine of the Trinity is the belief that there is one God who has revealed Himself in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Others seem to come by it naturally, and its just not fair! God is truth, so the unity that He is effecting between believers is a unity grounded in truth. 89:14; John 17:25; Rom. The most popular is probably the one found in the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . 1. 13:14; 1 Pet.1:2), In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1025), When Jesus promises the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:48), Peters sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:33; Acts 3839), Peter and apostles answer the high priest (Acts 5:3032), During Stephens heavenly vision at his stoning (Acts 7:5556), In Peters sermon to the gentiles in Caesarea (Acts 10:3638; Acts 4448), When Peter reports to the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:1518), When Peter speaks at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:811), During Pauls interaction with Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:2531), Pauls epistles (Rom. How do we receive His grace? 1. Some attributes include eternal, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Obviously we cannot, for Scripture is clear that there is only one God: There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Deity of Jesus: 10 Essentials You Need to Know! The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. Now we will turn our attention to showing the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are persons.. That means that, as Christians, we believe in only one God. Answer. For example, it says of Christ that "in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Anytime you see a geometric figure with these features, it is a triangle. We hate SPAM. passage also demonstrates Jesus' early declaration of the Trinity. Gods attributes are not parts of his singular divine essence. All three members of the Trinity have these characteristics. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the Trinity. The best way to teach the Trinity to ANYONE who is confused is with an object lesson. You may be wondering how to wrap your mind around all this brand-new information! After Christ rose from the grave, he appeared to the disciples and gave them a job to do: preach the Word to everyone. also 1:18). Errr, not quite. For example, if I say that the moon is made entirely of cheese but then also say that the moon is not made entirely of cheese, I have contradicted myself. Then I'll share an activity using the Celtic Trinity Knot to explain the Trinity to children along with the love that exists between each of its Persons and us. Three separate beings, all rolled into one entity. Did your kids give each form of God different personality traits? Assign each group with one of the Godheads: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), or the Holy Spirit. May 23, 2012 by: Justin Buzzard. At the risk of sounding too physical, essence can be understood as the stuff that you consist of.. As I said earlier, it means the same thing as being. God is like the skin because He protects us. In explaining the Trinity to your friend, begin, perhaps, with the work of salvation. And God seeks people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). That is because it is the only religion that believes in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God. Simply put: without three angles, theres no triangle! Girls become divided, friendships are ruined, and reputations are tarnished. The Bible teaches the Trinity beginning with the days of creation. What is the Trinity? I recently had some of my kids friends ask meWhat is the Trinity? So God is one what but three whos.. We cannot compete, in simplicity, with people who are inventing religions. This should make it clear why it is so important to understand that all three Persons are the same essence. Christ through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God.. Three parts in one, yet all very much an egg. For if we deny this, we have denied Gods unity and affirmed that there is more than one being of God (i.e., that there is more than one God). How is God one? 9:5; Col. 2:9), The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:34; 2 Cor. Paul unequivocally taught Jesus is God (Col. 2:9). Why not plan on studying verses in each section to prove to yourself that the Bible does claim that God is a Trinity? Satan existed with the angels at the beginning of creation as one of the cherubim. How do we come to terms with these different ideas of God? 5 Scriptural Points to Help You Understand the Trinity Specifically, distinguishing between Gods one essence and his three Persons. The Bible reveals that God isone, in essence, eternally revealed inthree Persons. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. First of all I want to tell you that the Trinity is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. Conclusion: Scripture teaches the Trinity. Surely not. 2. While no church is perfect, the Trinity is still the model for the churchs unity (John 1:2123). If Jesus is God, why do the Gospels record instances where He prayed to God? The Trinity doctrine developed over hundreds of years and was influenced by the teachings of pagan Greek philosophers. How Do You Explain the Trinity? - A Thimble-full of Theology for Daily 3:19; Eph. The Trinity Explained in 8 Steps - Binmin However, the Bible teaches us enough about these mysteries that we can apprehend them. Trying to fully understand God is like a 2-year-old trying to fully understand the complexities of relationships, marriage, and parenting! At his death on the cross, sinless Jesus chose to substitute himself in our place (Heb. It included Jesus miraculous conception in the virgin Mary (John 3:16)an act that we call the incarnation.. The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. 3:25; Dan. Christs resurrection is variously attributed to: Multiple verses distinguish each member of the Trinity. God created man in His image. Then you will learn the distinction between personhood and essence or nature. Satan. 28:20; Col. 3:11), Omnibenevolent (John 13:34; Rom. But they are eternally subordinate in their roles to him (1 Cor. Just as ONE egg has THREE different parts - the shell, the white, the yoke - ONE God has THREE different . Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. These three persons are of the same substance, equal in power and glory. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. We all have a story. How to Explain the Trinity to Muslims - Biblical Missiology And God created humankind to share that love (John 17:2126; Acts 17:25). 4:30), and a will (1 Cor. And that he is manifest as three Persons.. I work hard to produce evidence-based information about school for both teachers and parents, and to produce and share resources that can help at home and in the classroom. This explains how God can be both one and three. The problem with this is that it reflects a heresy called modalism. Understanding who the Holy Spirit is, the place He holds within the Holy Trinity and the role He plays in individual lives is vital to anyone exploring what it means to become a Christian and anyone trying to follow Jesus. I might end with sharing a few analogies from nature. In fact, would Jesus have us baptize in the name of a mere creature? There would only be a contradiction if we said that God is three in the same way that He is one. The Father and the Son are God almighty, omnipotent God. First, we have God. It's a great reminder of the three parts of the Holy Trinity! The Trinity is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. 42. To contemplate the Trinity is to lift up your heart and to "set your mind on the things above" (Col. 3:2). 4; 14; Jon. What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity? - Blue Letter Bible The concept of the Trinity is often referred to during worship, which helps Christians to understand it. Subjection and subordination do not mean inequality. 10:2831), In Johns writings (1 John 4:1314; Rev. 4:6; James 2:19; Jude 25. 9:18; Matt. Each member of the Trinity is . They only describe what makes up Gods singular essence. However, the biblical doctrine of the Trinity does not rest on one verse of Scripture, but is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. Kids understand the three different forms clearly, as separate objects. The Trinity. He was sustaining and manifesting Gods immediate presence in his creation. They are all eternal. Essence and personhood are NOT the same thing. The early church absolutely believed and taught the belief in a God who was three-in-one. "The Trinity is the foundational Christian belief that God is one Being who exists in three Persons." Unpacking the Definition The word Trinity means three-in-one. Essence and person are not the same thing. Its a clear and concise explanation that works great for kids. If each Person of the Trinity is distinct and yet fully God, then should we conclude that there is more than one God?